The deep crack threatening to tear the Delta State chapter of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP apart, got wider today when prominent leaders and elders of the party across the State shunned the inauguration ceremony of the party’s Campaign Council for the 2023 governorship election.
Conspicuously absent at the Inauguration which took place in Asaba today, were the founding leader of the party and former governor of the State,.Chief James Onanefe Ibori, immediate past governor of the State, Dr. Emmanuel Eweta Uduaghan, former Deputy governors, Benjamin Elue and Prof. Amos Utuama, Senator representing Delta South, Senator James Manager and former Secretary to the State government, Comrade Ovuozorie Macaulay, amongst several others.
Although The New Diplomat could not reach out to some of the absentee leaders of the party for their comments, as at the time of filing this report, a cross section of party members spoken to at the venue of the Inauguration, attributed it to the existing crack within the party created by the disagreement between the party’s major stakeholders.
Other notable party chieftains that boycotted the inauguration of the campaign council set up to support the governorship aspiration of Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori were the House of Reps member representing Isoko federal Constituency, Hon. Leo Igor, former Deputy governors, Chief Benjamin Elue and Professor Amos Utuama, the Governorship aspirant of the party, Olorogun David Edevbie and the minority leader of the House of Representatives, Hon. Ndudi Elumelu.
FULL LIST OF ABSENTEES:
1. H.E Chief James Onanefe IBORI
2. H.E. Emmanuel UDUAGHAN,
3. Benjamin ELUE
4. Amos UTUAMA
5. Olorogun David Edevbie
6. Peter Mrakpor
7. James Ebiowou Manager
8. Chief Patrick Egone
9. Ovuozourie MACAULAY
10. Hon. Peter Onwusanya
11. Evance Ivwurhie
12. Comrade Ingo Isaiah Tam
13. Robinson Ariyo
14. Erhiateke Ibori
15. Comrade Michael Akpobire
16. Rt. Hon Leo Ogor
17. Rt. Hon. Ossai N. Ossai
18. Rt. Hon. Ndudi Elumelu
19. Rt Hon Monday Igbuya
20. Hon Chiedu Ebie
21. Sir Itiako Ikpokpo
22. Chief Morrison Olori
23. Chief Henry Nzekwe
24 Hon Larry Ezechi
25. Hon Daniel Reyenieju
26. Dr Isaac Akpoveta
27. Timi Brisibe
28. Chief Vincent Uduaghan
29. Chief Godwin Abigor
30. Chief Frank Omare
31. Hon John Greatman Chukwuka
32 Odio Berkely Asiafa
33. Chief Bright Oweikeyi
34. Mr. Stanley Odali
35. Chief Alade Odiri
36. Hon Fred Ofume
37. Hon Christopher Izu
38. Chief Felix Ndukwe
39. Hon John Aleh
40. Sunny Areh
41. Godwin Ejinyere
42. Olorogun Esere Ejifoma
43. Isaiah Ingo
44. Florence Ayomanor
45. Judith Enamuotor
46. Amu Theodora
47. Clement Ofuani
48. Joe Iroro
49. Mercy Almona Use
50. Pastor Champion Kpateghe
51. Hon Eloka Nwanze
52. Uche Osadebe
53. Ms Orode Uduaghan
54. Engr Ologe Elijah
55. Prince Walter, amongst several others.
It would be recalled that the party in the State has been bedeviled with crisis resulting from the governorship primary which led to litigation between the winner of the primary, Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori and the second runner-up, Olorogun David Edevbie.
The matter was resolved by the Supreme Court judgment in favour of Hon. Oborevwori. But before then the crisis has factionalized the party along the line of two leaders, the former governor, Chief James Ibori and the incumbent governor, Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa.
